November: The Importance of the Invitation…and Giving “Thanks”

A national company that works to assist schools and churches with their Development and Stewardship efforts defines Development like this:

Development is the meaningful involvement of people in your institution’s mission and vision for the future.

Many schools have a pretty good idea of what their “mission” is, but here’s an example of how transformative a “compelling vision” can be. Every May in the high school marching band program my wife and I are involved with, we attend an event called “The Unveiling.” Parents, band alumni, members of the school, the community and “Friends of the Band” are invited to the high school auditorium on a Tuesday night near the middle of the month. Since it’s a competitive band program, the theme of the upcoming marching band season’s show is not only announced, but the music is previewed through a synthesized rendering, the instructional staff is introduced, the schedule through the summer and fall is distributed and the logo for the show is “unveiled.” While “The Unveiling” generates excitement throughout the community, enthusiasm also touches competitive band programs across the country through social media. All involved experience the excitement as it grows from week to week as the vision becomes reality, culminating in competitive performances, and ending with the state championships in November.

Your homework assignment? As Scripture states, “Go and do likewise!”

But how do you do that for your school?

We must remember to continue to invite people to be a part of the mission and share in the vision, and not expect that they’ll just tag along. Students must encourage their friends that may be in other schools to join them; parents must invite other parents to be a part of the school community; alumni must invite alumni to continue ensure that the experience of your school continues for the next generation of students.

Invitations prepared and sent through email, social media or even the US mail work, but the most effective type of invitation is the “personal ask.” It holds true for concerts, performances, sporting events and special evenings at your school. It’s even better when the invitation includes a personal commitment of support, as in, “We’re going to the ‘Night in Hawaii’ dinner at All Saints School – why don’t you come along with us!” Examples abound – from the apostles of Jesus who were personally invited to follow Him, to the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion who were personally invited to tag along to visit Oz with Dorothy. By that way, those 5 individuals represent the 5 elements of the complete person. Here are three of them: https://leadingwithtrust.com/2011/09/18/a-brain-heart-courage/. That’s the coginitive, the conative and the affective, while the other two are the kinesthetic and the spiritual elements (which can be represented as Dorothy and Oz respectively – although it could be argued that those two could be interchangeable representations).

Individuals must be personally invited and supported as a first step to their meaningful involvement with your school. It’s how the tradition continues, and, eventually, becomes its legacy.

And when people get involved, remember to thank them. Not just this month, but constantly.

Next month: Transition, and how values play a vital role in determining what changes, and what remains the same.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there may be equality. At the present time, your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: 'He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.'2 Corinthians 8:13-15

Energy and persistence will conquer all things.Benjamin Franklin

It is time to recover our nerve and promote our schools for the 21st century. The current hospice mentality—watching our schools slowly die—must give way to a renewed confidence.Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of NY (From 'The Catholic Schools We Need', America Magazine, 9.13.2010. Source: http://americamagazine.org/issue/747/article/catholic-schools-we-need)

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.Romans 12:2

It is important for States to guarantee 'the Church the freedom to establish and administer Catholic schools, affording parents the opportunity to choose a means of education that fosters the Christian formation of their children. Indeed, a solid education that nourishes all the dimensions of the human person, including the religious and spiritual, is in the interest of both Church and State. In this way, young people can acquire habits that will enable them to embrace their civic duties as they enter adulthood.Benedict XVI (2007)

Nothing is so commonplace as to wish to be remarkable.Oliver Wendell Holmes

People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.Samuel Johnson